BOSTON (AP) — As the harmful effects of extended pandemic school closures become more apparent, some educators and parents have regrets.
They’re questioning decisions in cities across the U.S. to remain online long after clear evidence emerged that schools weren’t COVID-19 super-spreaders — and months after life-saving adult vaccines became widely available.
In Chicago, Marla Williams initially supported the school system’s decision to instruct students online during the fall of 2020. Williams, a single mother, has asthma, as do her two children. While she was working, she enlisted her father, a retired teacher, to supervise her children’s studies. It didn’t work.
Her son lost motivation and wouldn’t do his assignments. Once he went back on a hybrid schedule in spring 2021, he started doing well again.
“I wish we’d been in person earlier,” Williams said. “Other schools seemed to be doing it successfully.”